Shwedagon is a beautiful, glittering gold 2,000 year old temple in Yangon. It is Burma's most sacred Buddhist site and draws in local people from within the city and afar. Yangon's early history is tied very closely to its magnificent Pagoda, where eight of Buddha's hairs are said to be enshrined. 

A journey aboard the RV Paukan is a wonderful way to take in the Irrawaddy River. This spacious, boutique boat has over 30 crew members to take care of you. 

Watch a memorable sunset over the Irrawaddy River as you luxuriate aboard RV Paukan, a beautifully furnished timber vessel that sleeps up to 55 guests.

Discover the delights of Pyin Oo Lwin, a scencic hill town in the centre of rural Burma. Learn more of its colonial past from buildings that still exist from British colonial rule in Burma.

Relax on one of Burma’s emerging coastal resorts. Ngapali is a beautiful and largely undiscovered beach with soft golden sand, set on the Bay of Bengal and backed by tropical palm trees.

Welcome to Ngapali, Burma's best beach with a wide and inviting stretch of golden sand. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a hectic schedule of temple-tours and even better, you’ll still find very few tourists here.

Feast on fresh seafood at this breezy beachside restaurant at the Sandoway Resort, overlooking the Bay of Bengal.

Ngapali Bay villa’s have an enviable location overlooking a perfect stretch of beach on  the Bay of Bengal. Villas are dotted around surrounding tropical gardens; the best are on the seafront with private deck and plunge pool.

The New Moon Festival is celebrated in Burma with traditional clothing, processions and offerings. If you’re lucky enough to witness a festival in Burma you’ll notice towns get very busy and the Burmese are in a playful mood!

Watch a ribbon of saffron-robed monks line up to receive alms from local people. Monks are very highly revered and respected in Burma.

Escape the heat of the coast in Maymyo, a cool, colonial hill station and admire the wide range of vegetables grown in this fertile climate.

Bagan has a truly astonishing landscape. It is a mesmerising moment when you first set eyes on so many ancient temples peeking out from this vast horizon stretching as far as the Irrawaddy River. Climb a viewpoint and take in over 4000 stupas scattered across the jungly plains. 

At dawn, watch the sun bring Bagan to life, picking out details on the intricate stupas and temples. Although there are around 5,000 monuments, no two are the same.

Watch a holy procession snake its way through Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, one of Burma’s most sacred sites.

Find peace in Burma’s capital Yangon when visiting this graceful reclining Buddha and marvel at its size – this Buddha is over 26 metres long.

Just one of the hundreds of impressive religious statues you'll discover in Burma.

Take a ride in a horse and cart, unique to Pyin Oo Lwin, and visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens, which thrive in this cool climate. 

Apart from the occasional friendly fisherman, you’ll probably find yourself alone on Ngapali – Burma’s most picturesque beach.

We recommend a visit to atmospheric Mrauk U soon. Although smaller than Bagan, it has an undiscovered feel to it and apart from a few farmers you might have the place to yourself.

Hail a taxi, Burma style! Get to grips with this method of transport in Mingun, where a bullock and bamboo cart is waiting to take you to your destination. 

If you get a chance, watch a traditional Marionette show using hand-made puppets, customary age-old entertainment in Burma.

If you head 10kms up the Irrawaddy River, you’ll be rewarded with the arresting sight of the breath-taking white Mingun pagoda, with its unusual wave-like terraces.

Admire the remains of what would have been the world's largest religious monument, Mingun Paya, if work on it hadn't been halted by an 1838 earthquake.

A visit to the vast Royal Palace whilst staying in Mandalay is highly recommended. Wander through these ornate moat walls to discover the ‘Forbidden City’, which contains teak palaces, throne halls and pavilions.

Idle away time on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, observe local families who use the river as means of transport and enjoy Burma's great birdlife .

Enjoy this serene view of Inle Lake from the Inle Princess Resort, framed by the magnificent backdrop of the Blue Mountains and edged by lush paddy fields. 

Not only does the Inle Princess Resort provide stunning views over Inle Lake, its chalets are more than comfortable too, with spacious bedrooms and private terraces.

Admire the reflections in the crystal clear waters of Inle Lake from the privacy of your balcony in a lake front view Chalet at the charming Inle Princess Resort.

Take part in this fascinating custom in a local home on the shores of Lake Inle and learn how to roll a cheroot style cigar, made from crushed tabacoo and wrapped in tree leaves. Here is Ampersand's MD, James, having a go!

Discover more about the little-known minority villages that bank on the shore of Inle Lake. These tribeswomen add rings to their necks to give the impression of ‘long- neck ladies’.

Slicing through the water on a long-tail boat nearly 200 miles south-east of Mandalay on Inle Lake, a place of heart-stopping beauty... This peaceful dusky scene at is one of the many evocative vistas you’ll treasure from this memorable country.

Enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon journey over the temples of Bagan with extraordinary views over hundreds of ancient ruins and pagodas which peek out from this remote jungle. It's a truly unforgettable experience and the best way to appreciate this archeological wonder.

Daily life for the Burmese people carries on as usual within the archaeological site of Bagan. 

Take in the details of the vast ancient site of Bagan, admiring the intricate temples close-up as well as the commanding views of this landscape. Here is our Burma consultant, Mark, having a moment of peace and reflection at this soul-stirring site.

There are often offerings and blessings ceremonies with special costumes happening around the stunning gold-leafed circular stupa at the Shwedagon Pagoda. 

At the frontier of adventurous Asian travel, Bagan leaves other cultural destinations in the shade. Her temple-strewn landscapes are guaranteed to fill you with both awe and spiritual calm.

Here we visited a school for nuns in Amarapura, which is a fascinating experience. Burma is absolutely packed full of novice monks and nuns who are completely focused on what they’re doing. The discipline and faith of the Burmese people is really very touching.

Take afternoon tea in the cool and airy lobby of the colonial Strand hotel, a wonderful respite from bustling Yangon.

Bedrooms at The Strand Hotel in Yangon are bright and stylish with polished teakwood floors. 24 hour butler service means you’ll be well looked after.